Our Volunteer Watchkeepers provide daylight cover from 0800 hrs each day of the year and operate a 24hr callout system.

Watchkeepers normally work 2 or 4 hour shifts and in pairs for health and safety reasons. They are not required to attend each week but regular appearances are appreciated and encouraged. Most Watchkeepers hold the Short Range VHF/DSC Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate and some hold the Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster qualification which includes examinations in seamanship, navigation, meteorology and the rules for avoiding collision at sea.

If you are considering becoming a Volunteer Watchkeeper, but would like to see more of what we do before you apply, then please get in touch with us and arrange a visit to the ‘Lookout’ ... you will be made very welcome.

The following pages provide an opportunity for our Volunteer Watchkeepers to tell their own stories and will hopefully continue to expand as more Watchkeepers can be persuaded to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.

Our Watchkeepers come from a wide range of backgrounds, some have a lifetime association with the sea, others are relatively new to such matters, but all have one thing in common ... a desire to help look after the safety of the many different users of our local coastline.

We are started off by ex fisherman, ex Lifeboatman and now our Coastwatch Station Controller,

Ray Preston.

Click here to read Ray’s story or click here to view his photo gallery.

We also have a short story from Senior Watchkeeper Malcolm Simpson, in which he describes some early sea-going experiences and in particular, his difficulties with ‘the lingo’.